Myocardial infarction in occupationally active population in Poland

Introduction
Cardiovascular diseases (mostly myocardial infarction) are the cause of about 50% death in Poland. The aim of the study was to find out if occupational factors account for the risk of the myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods
A questionnaire survey was performed during the period of one calendar year in all patients (1053 subjects) hospitalized at the Medical University of Lodz because of the first MI, among them were 294 subjects occupationally active at the time of infarction. The questionnaire, prepared specifically for the purpose of this study, comprised: demographic data, health status at admittance, cholesterol and glucose levels, socio-economic status, physical activity, alcohol intake, tobacco smoking, dietary habits, education, job title and characteristics, employment data, self assessment of work-related and general stress, exposure to chemical and physical occupational hazards, fatigue.

Results
Results are related only to the occupationally active group. Mean age was 52,2±7,1 years, employment duration - 31,2±8,2. Diagnosed hypertension (before MI) had 38.8% subjects, 12.6% - ischemic heart disease, 12.2% - diabetes. Overweight and obesity were noted in 43.8% and 36% of the subjects, respectively. Elevated cholesterol level (>200 mg/dl) was detected in 60,6% persons. Lack of leisure time activity declared 41.5% subjects, smoking habit (mean 20 cigarettes/day) – 67.3% persons. The most frequent occupational hazards were: work-related stress (54.2% subjects), occupational noise (45.5%), dust (41.7%) and various chemical agents (33%). A majority of the study group (59.7%) linked the cardiac infarction with stress, 31% - with physical effort.

Discussion
1. Traditional risk factors for MI are more frequent in examined group than in the general Polish population. 2. Among occupational factors, stress, noise and fine particulate dust are major contributors to the increased risk of MI. Our results indicate that the extensive prophylactic activities should be implemented in working population to reduce traditional and occupational risk factors for MI.